Fire kindler



C. BLAMFIELD June 16, 1931.

FIRE KINDLER Filed March 10, 1930 or saturated with a highly combustible sub-' Patented; June 16, 193i PATENT oF Ic CHARLES BLAI N IFIELD, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS FIRE KINnLnn Application filed'March 10, 1930. Serial No. 434,683.

Mypresent invention relates to fire kindlers and more particularly to fire kindlers especially adapted for kindling fires in fire places, camp fires, and the like.

'Mypresent, novel -kindlercomprises a piece of wood or other combustible material, hav- 'ing aflixedto one face thereof a layer of, ma

terial suchas burlap, duck, bagging, or the like, said layer of material beingimpregnated stance, such as paraifin,l having found that paraflin produces thebest results when utilized in conjunction with this kindler.

Another feature of the invention resides in theprovision ofa pi'non said kindler adapted to penetrate the piece of wood to which the kindler is attached,this pin being foldable out of operative position to lie flat against the face of the kindler, thus facilitating packing,

shipping and handling.

Another'object of the'invention' is the provision ofmeans whereby two or more kindlers maybe united to produce akindlerof greater size, in the event that the sameshould be needed. I

It is essential, when'iutilizing these kindlers, that thesame be spaced a proper distance from the surfaceof thefire wood to which it is attached. If too slight a space is provided between the kindler and the firewood, the flame produced by the saturated layer will be smothered, and if'the space provided is too great, thefire or flame will be confined to the kindler and will not ignite the fire wood.' I

A further and important object-of the present invention, therefore, is the provision of a spacing guide, which-may be made a part of the attaching p'in'or may bea separate element. The guide is also preferably foldable to lie ,flat against the surface of the kindler,

thus obtaining the same advantages as above briefly described for the pin;

When ithepinand guide are in operative position, the end of the'guide will be spaced asufiicient distance below the point of the pin to enable said pin to elfect a firm attachment of the kindler to the fire wood. The

V length of said guide willalsofbe such that when the pin has been inserted into the-fire wood. and the guide has come in contact with sai wood, just the proper space for most efiiclent igniting and combustion will be provided'. i

Another object of the invention resides in. the provision'of a rabbet alon the bottom inner edge of the kindler, the bottom edge of the saturated layer projecting over this rabbet and being preferably flush with the loweredge of the block or piece'to'which it is attached. Said loweredge of the saturated layer is also preferably frayed, for instantaneous ignition upon the application of a lighted match thereto,-the rabbet permitting the admission ofsuificient air to the said frayed edge to insure i niting thereof These lzindlers are prefera 1y constructed approximately three inches by two inches by one-half inch, but these sizes are for con venience only, and I 'am not in the least lim ited to any particular'sizej My present kindler is simple to manufacture, economical, and simple to use, and takes the place of the usual kerosene swabs, as well as eliminating the use of light kindling wood, shavings, and the like. 1

The quantity of parailin or other combustible substance utilized to impregnate or saturate the layer of burlap, or the like, need i not-be a considerable amount, as by properly spacing the kindler relative to the wood to be ignited, only a slight amount of this parafiin is essential. The proper relative spacing of the kindler and the piece of wood to which it is attached, also, will result :in maintaining a hot spot that will keep the flame alive even after; the paraifin or other combustible substance is consumed. It will thus be seen that the proper spacing of the kindler, and the means for effecting or insuring this spacing, is an important element of my invention. I e

Other features of the inventionconsistin: the particular construction of the kindler and the retaining means for the folding pin and spacing guide. I f

The above and other objects and features of the invention, details of construction, and advantages, will 'be hereinafter more fully I believe that the kindler above briefl described is novel, and have, therefore, claimed the same broadly in this application.

Referring to the drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my novel kindler;

Fig. 2 1s a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 1s a vertical sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1; a

Fig. 41s an end elevation of said kindler;

Fig. 5 1s a side elevation of my novel kindler attached to a piece of firewood to be ignited thereby; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective View, partly broken away, illustrating the method of uniting two or more of my novel kindlers.

Referring now to the drawings, for a particular description of the invention, its construction, assembly and operation, 1 designates a wooden block, which is preferably used as thebase of my kindler, the face 2 of said block being preferably coated with a combustible substance such as parafiin.

Thereupon a strip or layer 3 of suitable material, such as bagging, burlap, or duck, is applied to the coated face 2 and pressed t ereOn. The strip 3 is saturated or impregnated with a Suitable readily combustible substance, preferably parallin, and the pressing of the strip 3 on to the face 2 will effect a union thereof, but to insure retention of.

the strip 3 on the block 1. I may utilize a tack 4, or other holding device.

A groove 5 is provided in the block 1, pref- V erably extending through the length thereof for facility of formation, and lying in said groove 5 is a strip of wood 6 having recesses 7 formed at each side thereof at a suitable point, and also having a recess 8 extending transversely across the bottom of said strip. Seated in the groove 5 is a member 9, said I member being located in the recess 8 and held y in said groove 5 by the strip 6. The member 9 has a pair of arms 10, and extending from said arms, at approximately right angles thereto, is a pin or prong 11, and a spacing guide 12 of less length than said prong. The member 9 functions as a pivot, so that the prong 11 and guide 12 may be swung from folded position, as illustrated in 3, to open. or operative position, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the recesses 7 in the strip 6 permitting this tilting or pivoting action.

When the'guide member 12 and rong 11 are folded, as illustrated in Fig. 3, tlie device is compact and easily handled for packing and shipping, the prong 11 and guide 12 being swung or pivoted. to operative position when it is desired to use he kindler. The bottom edge 13 of the layer 3 is frayed, the said frayed edgebeing substantially flush with the bottom edge 1 of the block 1, and

' admission of sufficient air around the bottom edge of the strip or layer 3 to facilitate ignition thereof.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated the method of using my novel device, wherein the prong 11 has been inserted into a stick of wood 16, further penetration of the prong 11 being prevented by the blunt end of the guide memier 12. The length of this spacing guide 12 is predetermined for the most eflicient spacing of the kindler from the wood 16. Thereupon, when a lighted match 17 is applied to the frayed edge 1.3, combustion of the kindler will ensue, the flame first traveling up the layer 3 and creating a hot spot against the face of the wood 16, which will ignite the wood 16 and which hot spot will be retained even after the layer 3 has been consumed.

The proper spacing of the kindler relative to the surface of the wood 16 is highly important, and by the use of the guide 12 all guess work is eliminated, thus insuring proper operation of the kindler and the obtaining of the best results therefrom.

\Vhile I have illustrated the prong 11 and guide 12 as integral, it will be appreciated that these may be made two separate members, if desired. a

In the event that it is desired to utilize more than one kindler, I provide a groove 18 in each kindler, and thus two or more kindlers may be united by means of a pin 19 seated in said grooves, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 6.

Each layer or strip 3 is provided with an aperture 20,through which the members 11 and 12 project. I

The advantages, benefits, and utility of my novel kindler will be readily apparent.

lVhile I have necessarily described my present invention somewhat in detail, it will be appreciated that I may vary the size, shape, and arrangement of parts within reasonably wide limits, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

My invention is further described and de fined in the form of claims as follows p 1. A fire kindler comprising a block of combustible material, a layer of porous material attached to one face of said block, said layer being saturated with suitable readily combustible substance, means to attach said kindler to a piece of wood to be ignited thereby, and means to space said kindler a predetermined distance from said wood, said at taching means and said spacing means being foldable substantially flat against the surface of said kindler; I

2. A fire kindler comprising a blockof layer being saturated with suitable readily combustible substance, means to attach said .5 a rabbet 15 is formed in said block adjacent kindler to a piece of wood to be ignited theretermined distance from saidwood, the bot-.

tom edge of said porous layer being substantially flush with the bottom edge of said block, said block having a rabbet therein adjacent to the bottom edge of said layer.

4;. A fire kindler comprising a block of combustible material, a layer of porous material attached to one face of said block, said layer being saturated with suitable readily .combustible'substance, means to attach said kindler to a piece of wood to be ignited thereby, and means to-space said kindler a predeing guideon said member to space said kin dler a predetermined distance from said wood, and a retaining strip seated in said groove .to prevent separation of said member from said kindler, said retaining strip being provided with means whereby said prong and said guide may be folded substantially flat against the surface ofsaid kindler, the bottom edge of said porous layer being substantially flush with the bottom edge of said block, said block having a rabbet therein adjacent to the bottom edge of said layer,

whereby air maybe admitted around the bottom edge of said layer to facilitate combustion.,

In testimony whereof, Ihave signed my name to this specification.

7 CHARLES BLAMFIELD.

termined distance from said wood, said attaching means and said spacing means being integral and simultaneously foldable sub-' stantially fiat against the surface of said kindler.

5QAfire kindlercomprising a block of combustible material, a layer of porous material attached to one face of said block, said layer being saturated with suitable readily combustible substance, a groove in said block,

a member seated in said groove, a prongon said member for attaching said kindler to a piece ofwood to be ignited thereby, a spacing guide on said member to space said kmdler a predetermined distance from said wood, and a retaining strip seated in said groove to prevent separation of said member from said kindler.

6. A fire kindler comprisinga block of combustible material, a layer of porous ma- 'terial attached to one face of said block, said layer being saturatedwith suitable readily combustible substance, a groove in said block, a member seated-1n sald groove, a prong on said member for attachingsaid kindler to a piece of wood to be ignited thereby, a spacingguide on said member to spaceasaid kindler a predetermined distance from said wood, and a retaining strip seated'in said,

groove to-prevent separation of said member from said kindler, sald retalnlng strip being providedrwlthmeans whereby said prong and said guide may be folded substantially.

flat against the surface of said kindler.

7. A fire kindler comprising a block of combustible material, a layer of porous material attached to one face of said block, said layer being saturated with suitable readily combustible substance, a groove in said block,

' a member seated in said groove, a prong on said member'for attachingsaid kindler to a piece of wood to beignited thereby, a spac- 

